Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Senior Occupational Therapist

The closing date is 17 February 2026

Job summary

Are you a compassionate and motivated Occupational Therapist looking to make a real difference in peoples lives?

Do you thrive in a dynamic, supportive, and forward thinking multidisciplinary team?

If so, this could be the perfect next step in your career and a great opportunity to further develop your skills.

We are delighted to be recruiting a Band 6 Senior Occupational Therapist to join our established team within the Acute Service at the Cedars, Exeter (Delderfield Ward).

This is a fantastic chance to broaden your experience, take on senior responsibilities, and contribute to a service supporting individuals during acute episodes in their mental health journey.

You will be part of an OT provision which consists of, one Band 6 OT, One Band 5 OT and OTAs within an ever growing and dynamic multidisciplinary team.

We are looking for a skilled, compassionate, and motivated Occupational Therapist who has the desire to work with individuals experiencing an acute episode in their mental health.

We look forward to receiving you application.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will have an active role in shaping and evaluating the OT Pathway across our Acute Inpatient Services acting as a deputy advisor and support to the Occupational Therapists manager whilst maintaining clinical caseloads and working within an MDT.

As a service we are embedding the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability (VdT MoCA) as the model of practice within the Acute Services.

The post holder will bring valued experience and skills to our teams and have the opportunity to share their specialist knowledge.

The post holder will use evidence based, client-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and review appropriate group and individual interventions for service users.

The Occupational Therapy team form an integral part of the multi-disciplinary team, providing Occupational Therapy input, aimed at achieving maximum independence for all clients in the areas of self-care, productivity and leisure.

The Senior Occupational Therapist will be responsible for providing professional leadership and line management of Band 5 OTs and OT support staff, under the supervision of the Advanced Occupational Therapist.

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Details

Date posted

03 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9369-26-0080-1

Job locations

Devon Partnership Nhs Trust

Dryden Road

Exeter

EX2 5SN


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy.
  • Registration with the Health Professions Council.
  • Commitment to undertake continuing professional development.

Desirable

  • IT Skills

Experience

Essential

  • Sound theoretical understanding of OT practice and recovery principles within Mental Health settings.
  • Experience of working in an inpatient setting.
  • Understanding of therapeutic boundaries.
  • Knowledge of mental health legislation and relevant NICE guidelines/ national policies.
  • Understanding of role of OT in the multidisciplinary team.
  • Understanding of team dynamics.
  • Sound Risk Assessment skills.

Desirable

  • Excellent communication skills written and verbal.
  • Ability to set clear boundaries and communicate these to others.
  • Ability to teach practical skills to people with mental health difficulties.
  • Conveys motivated attitude to work.
  • OT specific assessment skills and ability to formulate appropriate recommendations and treatment plans.
  • Ability to use initiative and take responsibility.
  • Good organisation and time management skills.
  • Ability to co-ordinate and delegate caseload and group programme.
  • Physically able to participate in a variety of activities e.g. sports, cookery, gardening.
  • Understanding of Health, Safety, Risk Assessment and Management.
  • Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
  • Ability to use supervision appropriate to grade.
  • Flexible working hours to include evening and weekend work.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy.
  • Registration with the Health Professions Council.
  • Commitment to undertake continuing professional development.

Desirable

  • IT Skills

Experience

Essential

  • Sound theoretical understanding of OT practice and recovery principles within Mental Health settings.
  • Experience of working in an inpatient setting.
  • Understanding of therapeutic boundaries.
  • Knowledge of mental health legislation and relevant NICE guidelines/ national policies.
  • Understanding of role of OT in the multidisciplinary team.
  • Understanding of team dynamics.
  • Sound Risk Assessment skills.

Desirable

  • Excellent communication skills written and verbal.
  • Ability to set clear boundaries and communicate these to others.
  • Ability to teach practical skills to people with mental health difficulties.
  • Conveys motivated attitude to work.
  • OT specific assessment skills and ability to formulate appropriate recommendations and treatment plans.
  • Ability to use initiative and take responsibility.
  • Good organisation and time management skills.
  • Ability to co-ordinate and delegate caseload and group programme.
  • Physically able to participate in a variety of activities e.g. sports, cookery, gardening.
  • Understanding of Health, Safety, Risk Assessment and Management.
  • Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
  • Ability to use supervision appropriate to grade.
  • Flexible working hours to include evening and weekend work.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Devon Partnership Nhs Trust

Dryden Road

Exeter

EX2 5SN


Employer's website

https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Devon Partnership Nhs Trust

Dryden Road

Exeter

EX2 5SN


Employer's website

https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Sane Andrews

saneandrews@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

03 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9369-26-0080-1

Job locations

Devon Partnership Nhs Trust

Dryden Road

Exeter

EX2 5SN


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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